A new show by the acclaimed photographer Bill Henson will feature portraits of figures, similar to images of naked teenagers that provoked controversy and a police raid of his show at a Sydney gallery in 2008.

The invitation to Henson's upcoming exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery features a photo of a teenage boy, bare-chested and glistening with sweat, looking pensively away from the camera.

Henson has not decided which photos will be shown at the exhibition, which opens on September 20, but in an interview with the Herald's art critic John McDonald in this Saturday's Spectrum, he said "It will focus more on the body, and less on landscape."

It is in stark contrast to Henson's 2010 exhibition at the Paddington gallery, his first show following the police raid, which appeared to disappoint his detractors by featuring works that were mostly landscapes and architectural ruins.

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"He ignited controversy – now he's ditching it," was the title of a Herald column by Miranda Devine. However, gallery owner Roslyn Oxley said the show includes both landscape and figurative works that represent themes Henson has explored for more than three decades.

The show has not been sent to the Classification Board for review. "This exhibition is a continuation of the same body of work that has previously received general classifications and therefore we didn't perceive a need to do so," Oxley told the Herald.

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

201 comments

I'm seriously concerned for anyone that sees anything sexual in Henson's 'more infamous' works. Says much more about the viewer than the artist.

Commenter

Harvey K-Tel

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September 12, 2012, 1:32PM

Agreed - if people have the tendency towards paedophilia, they have the ability to access much more graphic and disturbing imagery. I doubt they would be all that interested in this type if artisitc photgraphy.

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XX

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September 12, 2012, 2:32PM

I'm seriously concerned for anyone that wants to go and view pictures of naked children. Says a lot about the "Artist" and his luvvies that sneer at those that think it's a bit sick. You lot are the sick ones!!!

Commenter

WotTha?????

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September 12, 2012, 2:36PM

This is another example of our leftism poisons everything. When the arts were inspired by religion, artists produced works of magnificence like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. When the Liberal minds took over the arts, they produced vile rubbish like Scatological art (art made out of excrement) and naked children.

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war scythe

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September 12, 2012, 3:22PM

Couldn't agree more!! I went to see the exhibition a few years back that created all the supposed controversy. I found nothing sexual about it at all. His photography is exquisite and haunting. Definitely one of the best in the world as far as I'm concerned.

Commenter

True Artist

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September 12, 2012, 3:36PM

Yes. Naked children in art are a very recent thing. Never seen before this generation along with all that scat art that's everywhere, winning all the lefty art prizes.

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Harvey K-Tel

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September 12, 2012, 3:39PM

That really isn't the point.

The point is and always will be...why is one person allowed to take and display photos of children and it is classed as art but another person will do the same thing and it be labelled child pornography?

Is it art because he is a recognized artist??If he was unknown and this were his first show would is still be considered art??If he took the photos with zero intention to show them then how could they be considered art...therefore they are considered naked photos of children for his own personal use.Who classifies what is art and what is not?Should a person aiming to produce art but it gets classified as child porn be charged as a full offender?

There is a minefield of issues here....not just the "how can anyone see this as sexual"

I think the most telling thing here is after his last show flopped he felt the need to create a stir again to get back into the spotlight. Its a clear cry for attention with 'art' that is a regurgitation of his 2008 show. *yawn*

Commenter

Frank

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September 12, 2012, 3:49PM

@War Scythe - you obviously don't know art history. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc. have depicted naked babies, children and adults since time immemorial. I think the photographs are beautiful.

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Nerida

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Melbourne

Date and time

September 12, 2012, 3:54PM

The voting on this is unfair 4 negatives to 1 positive...

Commenter

moholy

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

September 12, 2012, 3:55PM

@war scythe

Michael Angelo's David is made from modeling of a 15 years old boy. I'm pretty sure angels and cupids are quite nude. There are many nude male and female statues and art in the Louvre.

Hey, but you can rationalise as much as you want mate. Let your one dimensional hate of things that are different flow. That's it. Hate.